Metabolic Disturbances Exacerbate COVID-19

Prevailing COVID-19 pandemic slowly reveals out its mechanism of infection as scientists explore the multivariate aspects of it. Metabolic disorders involving diabetes, fatty liver, and acute kidney injury (AKI), are shown to exacerbate the effects of COVID-19 in patients, as per a review article publication for the journal BIO Integration.

COVID-19 that is caused by a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), is proved to disrupt the metabolism of the host cells to gain control over their immune system. The virus achieves the goal mainly via its spike protein, which initiates the entry via its binding to host's angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors.

‘Metabolic disturbances involving diabetes, fatty liver, and acute kidney injury (AKI) , � are shown to exacerbate the effects of COVID-19 in patients. This urges the need for potentiation of repurposed metabolic -related drugs to effectively treat COVID-19.’

The entry of the virus into the host cells produces a wide range of symptoms like fever, dry cough, fatigue, and in most severe cases triggers a massive cytokine storm, leading to fatal pneumonia (respiratory disease) and develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This explains why there is a deterioration of pre-existing metabolic disorders.

The close focus on the interaction between COVID-19 and metabolic syndrome sheds light to potentiate the use of repurposed metabolic-related drugs. The study also draws attention to the importance of treating metabolic diseases in COVID-19 patients.

Source: Medindia